Blog

It may surprise you to know that some people have very strong opinions about which type of toothbrush is the best: manual or electric. The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS in Murray hears this question a lot.

Is there really one that is clearly better?

Most dentists will tell you that all toothbrushes, when used thoroughly, are effective at removing plaque. Choosing which kind you prefer is really up to you.

Today, we want to give you some extra information about toothbrushes to help you pick which kind is right for you or your child.

Toothbrush Choice – Manual vs Electric

You need to consider cost and convenience. Some people argue that even though electric toothbrushes are more costly, you’ll save on dental bills. However, there are no definitive studies to back up this claim.

Manual toothbrushes are easy to find, whereas not all drugstores carry all types of electric toothbrushes. This can be difficult when buying replacement heads. People who travel may find that a smaller, manual toothbrush is easier to pack (and batteries are not required).

The pressure you put on your gums with either type of toothbrush is essential. Some people say that it’s difficult to know how much pressure they use with electric toothbrushes, while others say that because of the quick electrical movements, they tend to be more gentle on their gums than when they use manual brushes. You may want to try them both to identify your brushing style. Then you can discuss it with your dentist.

Special consideration should be taken for people with arthritis. Most dentists guide their elderly and arthritic patients to use electric toothbrushes when their manual dexterity is diminished. As for children, once they are old enough, an electric toothbrush may be preferable, but safety should always be the first concern of parents.

Whichever type of toothbrush you choose, make sure you get soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS performs complete smile re-designs that turn ordinary teeth (or even teeth with  problems) into stunning smiles. If you have been considering a smile makeover, you probably want to know if you will still look like yourself.

The answer is “Yes! Only better!” You see, our team uses nature as a guide—nature at its best—when improving smiles. It is important to bring your entire face into harmony when designing a smile makeover. Here are a few:

• Tooth Shape – includes proportion and alignment
• Teeth Size – this also includes the unique dimensions of the spaces between the teeth
• Tooth Color – hue, value, intensity, and color variations between teeth
• Bite – how upper and lower teeth fit together
• Gumline – shape and color
• Face Shape and Bone Structure
• Skin Tone
• Lips – color, shape, size
• Age
• Gender

This list is not complete but gives you an idea of the complexity of smile makeovers. Though advanced cosmetic dentistry is multifaceted, it follows the esthetic principles expressed in naturally beautiful smiles.

But you don’t have to worry about midlines and microesthetics because we are devoted to the details. We invite you to schedule a smile design consultation to speak with our team about your current smile and the brilliant smile you desire.

Visit Us Once and You’ll Be A Patient For Life

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

385-217-9145

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we’d like to focus on an article that appeared in ScienceDaily.com. The article describes a study of Brazilian ICU patients that compared infection rates of those who received enhanced oral care instead of routine oral care. The patients who received the more intense dental care were 56 percent less likely to develop a respiratory infection during their stay.

“Bacteria causing healthcare-associated infections often start in the oral cavity,” said Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues, MD, lead author of the study. “This study suggests that having a dentist provide weekly care as part the ICU team may improve outcomes for vulnerable patients in this setting.”¹

If a member of your family has serious health issues, you may want to talk to their doctor about the oral health implications of their condition. In unfortunate cases where one of my patients experiences severe health issues, I am happy to work with their medical team to ensure that their dental health is not compromised. Even some managable chronic conditions can require more frequent exams and cleanings.

Though this study pertains to ICU patients, it is also a reminder to all of us. Receiving consistent quality dental care and practicing proper daily oral hygiene is critical for everyone.

We see ourselves as key members of your healthcare team and are dedicated to your physical, mental, and emotional health. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

^{1Wanessa T. Bellissimo-Rodrigues, Mayra G. Menegueti, Gilberto G. Gaspar, Edson A. Nicolini, Maria Auxiliadora-Martins, Anibal Basile-Filho, Roberto Martinez, Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues. Effectiveness of a Dental Care Intervention in the Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Nosocomial Infections among Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2014; 35 (11): 1342 DOI: 10.1086/678427}

Most celebrities flash stunning smiles that don’t appear to have any flaws.  At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS , we can help you attain that stunning smile so you can flash it all day long.

Have you ever noticed that some famous individuals with perfect smiles didn’t have the best teeth early in their careers? Those that wanted to improve their smiles took advantage of cosmetic dentistry. Whether it’s porcelain veneers or a complete smile makeover—cosmetic dentistry can improve any smile.

Can ordinary men and women obtain a celebrity-caliber smile? Absolutely!

Most of us will never star in a movie or walk the red carpet at the Oscars. But all of us can have a smile every bit as beautiful as our favorite actor, singer, or supermodel.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

385-217-9145

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Primary teeth are important.   Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS wants to help protect young athlete’s teeth. If you have a child who plays youth sports such as soccer or baseball, they can be very risky for your child’s teeth.

Football can be a heavy contact sport, yet there is a relatively low rate of mouth injuries that occur in football as compared to other contact sports. Why? Football players are required to wear a mouth guard and a helmet.

Inexpensive athletic dental mouth guards are worth their weight in gold!

If your child participates in a contact sport and doesn’t currently wear a mouth guard, we recommend that you have them start.

There are three main types of mouthguards:

• ready-to-wear.  The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well.
• boil and bite. They are to be softened in water and then formed to the mouth (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
• custom-fitted.

We offer custom sports mouth guards that provide the highest level of protection and comfort. Mouth protectors that are comfortable are more likely to be worn by kids who complain about wearing a mouthguard.

Start Early For a Healthy Smile For Life

Is your child still a toddler? It’s not too early to start protecting their oral health. If your toddler has not yet had a dental examination, call us to schedule one. Starting early dental visits is important for lifelong oral health.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. . To discuss your child’s dental condition or to learn more about sports-related tooth injury prevention, call us today.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

385-217-9126

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Body piercings are a common form of self-expression seen around Salt Lake City. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS we encourage our patients to enhance their smiles in the healthiest way.

Today’s post is for those who currently have an oral piercing or are considering one. Unfortunately, these piercings and the jewelry they use can lead to serious problems with not only your teeth and mouth, but your entire body. These piercings can result in tooth damage, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and tooth loss.

Tongue Piercing

In general, any oral piercing is going to open you up to an array of dangerous oral infections and complications. The mouth is full of germs and introducing foreign objects permanently is not natural for your body’s health.

A tongue piercing can lead to difficulty chewing with unnatural chewing patterns that may lead to swallowing troubles. The jewelry produces excess saliva from the salivary glands, which throws off the natural balance of your oral cavity. Permanent nerve weakening, excessive bleeding, and allergic reactions can also occur.

Metal jewelry also can easily come in contact with your teeth, leading to cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth. Your teeth are built to last a lifetime. Chips, cracks, and enamel erosion compromise their stability and shorten their lifespan.

Mouth Jewelry

Though not technically a piercing, some people drill small holes in their teeth to place rhinestones or other jewelry. Drilling into a tooth is dangerous for many reasons, including damage that can make a root canal necessary. The jewel also can attract bacteria that can directly go into the drilled cavity of the tooth.

Health Tips

Our team encourages patients with oral piercings to remove their jewelry before it puts their health at risk. However, if you have an oral piercing and plan to keep it, we advise you to have consistent dental cleanings and check-ups. It’s important to fix problems in their early stages before they become more extreme. Don’t wait if you suspect you may have a dental or physical trouble.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we know how to keep our patients smiling.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, would like to share with you some insights about halitosis.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be embarrassing when it happens. Poor oral hygiene is often the cause. Make sure you schedule your preventive visits and teeth cleaning with us twice a year.

Brushing just the teeth may not remove particles of food between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden floss-only locations. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Also, the food you are eating can impact the odor in your mouth. Onions, garlic, and coffee are likely to show up on the breath regardless of time spent brushing.

Illness, infection, and allergies can all cause dry mouth which in turn upset the control of bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes, kidney failure, radiation therapy, liver malfunction, dry mouth, or even a sinus infection can cause an odor. The microbe balance in the mouth is ever-changing.

Finally, dentures or a removable appliance may also carry bacteria that needs to be cleaned and freshened up on a regular basis.

1. Brush and floss the teeth as well as brush the tongue, gums, and sides of the mouth.
2. Enjoy onions and garlic a little less.
3.  Stay on top of health issues.
4. Keep dentures clean.

Call Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, serving the Murray, Salt Lake City and Sandy Utah area if you have a breath issue. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we encourage our patients to come in twice a year for a dental examination and cleaning.  We also encourage our patients to be knowledgeable about oral health issues.

Let’s discuss saliva. This typically yucky substance is, in reality, a finely balance body fluid that not only maintains dental health but also aids in digestion of your food.

But what’s in saliva?

1. Water. No surprise here! Your saliva consists mostly of water.
2. Enzymes. Enzymes are vital biological catalysts that speed chemical reactions. The enzymes in saliva begin the process of digestion.
3. Immunoproteins. These are powerful cells that fight cellular invaders, such as bacteria. Those in saliva inhibit the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth. This is essential to avoiding gingivitis and keeping a healthy pH balance in the mouth.
4. Minerals. Saliva minerals assist in maintaining the protective enamel surface of the teeth.

Most Salt Lake City dental patients produce enough saliva, but some suffer from dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva. This can be dangerous to your dental health, so be sure to meet with your Murray dentist if you are experiencing this.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Everyone needs healthy teeth that work as nature intended for a high quality of life and overall good  health. If you have dentures, you know how important healthy teeth are. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we can help with any denture issues you might be having.

Dentures are obviously preferable to a completely toothless mouth, but they are not issue free. Your mouth works all day long – and dentures can sometimes get in the way.

Dentures can make it difficult to chew and taste food. It’s embarrassing to talk when they are slipping around in your mouth and laughing can dislodge them entirely. They can even make it hard to breathe – and it doesn’t get more basic than that.

Even if you have had dentures for many years, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants are very versatile and can be a tailor-made replacement for dentures.

Dental implants can be used to replace several teeth and/or anchor over dentures. Mini dental implants (also called denture-stabilization implants) allow your dentist to securely attach an appliance so that it won’t slip or irritate gums. Small titanium posts are implanted into the jawbone and fuse with the surrounding bone, creating a substantial base for an over denture.

Here is the process for implants:

1. Examination and Assessment
During your first visit, our team will take x-rays and assess your mouth and the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. We will discuss options with you and design a treatment plan.

2. Implant Placement
A complete tooth implant and restoration consists of the actual implant or root replacement, an abutment, and final restoration. The first step is to insert the titanium alloy implant into your jawbone. This is not as difficult or painful as it sounds. Most patients are surprised at how fast and easy the procedure is.

3. Integration
Implant surgery would not be successful if your jawbone did not welcome an artificial and non-biological tooth root. Amazingly, in the vast majority of cases, the jawbone tightly fuses with the implant to create an extremely substantial foundation for the last restoration. It takes from three to six months for your jawbone to work its incredible magic.

4. Final Restoration
Whether your final step is a crown, bridge, or denture, we will work with the lab to manufacture a beautiful and functional restoration. A connecting piece called an abutment attaches the restoration to the artificial root(s). The crown, bridge, or denture is all that is visible at the end of the process. Dental implant restorations are essentially indistinguishable from original teeth.

Dental implant patients of all ages are delighted with the better quality of life implants provide.

Take the first step and schedule a tooth implant consultation. This is necessary for making an informed decision about dental treatment.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer a full menu of general and cosmetic dentistry services. Call us today for an implant consultation.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107